Airline Blames Air Traffic Control Shortages and System Failures
United Airlines has announced plans to cancel 35 daily round-trip flights from Newark Liberty International Airport. The airline cites ongoing staff shortages and air traffic control issues as the primary reasons for the cuts.
CEO: “No Other Choice to Protect Our Customers”
United CEO Scott Kirby explained the decision in a message to customers on Friday.
“Newark airport cannot handle the number of planes that are scheduled to operate there in the weeks and months ahead,” Kirby said. “We feel like there is no other choice in order to protect our customers.”
Recent weeks have seen major delays at Newark, where over 20% of FAA staff walked off the job. A failing FAA air traffic control system has only worsened the situation, resulting in:
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Dozens of flight diversions
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Hundreds of delays and cancellations
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Thousands of disrupted travel plans
A Long-Standing Problem: Understaffed Air Traffic Control
Kirby pointed to a “chronically understaffed” air traffic control center at Newark and criticized the lack of meaningful government intervention. United has repeatedly urged authorities to reclassify Newark as a Level 3 airport, which would allow the FAA to cap scheduled flights based on capacity constraints.
FAA Faces Broader Staffing Crisis
Aging Workforce and Strict Eligibility Rules
The air traffic controller shortage is not unique to Newark. A 2023 report from the U.S. Department of Transportation found that:
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The FAA paused training during the COVID-19 pandemic
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The agency still lacks a proper plan to address the shortfall
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This poses a risk to the continuity of U.S. air traffic operations
Complicating matters further, FAA rules require:
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Retirement at age 56 for all air traffic controllers
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New applicants must be under 31
A Push for Reform and Investment
Despite the challenges, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy shared an optimistic outlook. He announced a proposal that includes:
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Hiring 2,000 new air traffic controllers in 2025
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Offering up to $10,000 in incentives to academy graduates
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Expanding training facilities and hiring more instructors
“Today’s actions will supercharge the air traffic controller workforce from both retention and hiring side of the equation,” Duffy said.
“But this is why it’s critical that we build an all-new air traffic control system.”
United’s Broader Strategy to Cut Delays
In March, United introduced a three-point plan focused on reducing delays by investing in:
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Additional staffing
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Updated technology
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Airport infrastructure
The airline also plans to reduce its domestic flight schedule by 4% this July.
Newark Airport Yet to Respond
As of now, Newark Liberty International Airport has not issued an official statement in response to the cancellations.
